Apparatus for furnishing audible information



'Oct, 1, 1940. A. R. JOHNSON ET Al 2,216,114

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION Filed June 15, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTORS. 12! 6.5. ANDREWRJOHINSON. I CHARLES .WATSON. BY 0 7 ATTORNE Oct. 1. 1940- A. R. JOHNSON ET AL 2,216,114

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION INVENTORS. ANDREW R. JOHNSON. CHARLES 4 WATSON.

ATTORNEY.

Oct 1940- A. R. JOHNSON ET AL 2,215,114

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION Filed June 15, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTO Rs. ANDREW R. JOHNSON.

HARLESE ATSON. BY Q (2 W7 ATTORNEY.

0 1940 A. R. JOHNSON ET AL 2,216,114

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION Filed June 15, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTORS. ANDREW R. JOHNSON.

CHARLES E. WATSON.

1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 M 5 N H 0 Wh 7 U NR 1/. m 1].. IW G s M F I D N A 5 7 up 8 z 7 11 7 4 7 Oct. 1. 1940. A. R. JOHNSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR PURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION Filed June 15,

O 1. 1940- A. R. JOHNSON ETAL 2,216,114

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION will. k

INVENTORS F I G. 2 4 ANDREW R.JOHNSON'.

HARLES E. W rso/v. BY 6/ Oct. 1. 1940- A. R. JOHNSGN ET m. 2,213,114v

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE INFORMATION Filed June 15, 1958 7 Sheets-$heet IZZ IN VEN TORS. ANDREW R. JOHNSON CHARLES E. WA TSON.

BY C ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES P ENT OFFIC APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING AUDIBLE I INFORMATIONKW-= Andrew R. Johnson, Chicago, and Charles E.'Watson, La Grange, Ill., assignors to Informat, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 15, 1938, Serial No. 213,798

12 Claims. (01. 274-18) This invention relates to information devices -and more particularly to a multiple recording selector device for installation in public places and operable to supply audible talk-back on diverse matters of interest from an advertising and information service standpoint, although it may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes. I

' 'It contemplates more especially a novel combination of multiple recordings combined with a talk-back selector in a self-contained unit to "supply information and various advertising features depending upon the demands and requirements of commercial practice.

It is a familiar fact that travellers and newcomers arriving in municipalities or public places frequently experience difficulty and delay in securing necessary and desired information. Often, residents or people who are well informed are not available or convenient to approach and the newcomer is apt to be misdirected and suffer embarrassment or delay. Further, a person ar- "riving in a strange locality at a late hour may fm'd'places of information closed and neighborhoods deserted so that it is often very diflicult to acquire information.

Then, too, effective advertising can be acquired by informing individuals through a mechanical record-reproducer unit that is selective, amusing and effective in communicating information and advertising messages. It is proposed therefore, to provide self-contained information machines in depots, public places, and prominent street intersections for contemplated operation day and night toimpart spoken information and advertising concerning hotels, streets, oflice buildings, and other subjects of public interest to persons soliciting such information.

One object of the present invention is to pro- 'vide a talk-back selector in combination with imultiplerecordings for the purpose set forth.

. .Anoth 'er' object of the invention is to provide novel means for issuing the desired information and advertising features in spoken form.

Still another object is to provide multiple preformed records in a self-contained device suitably indexed for selective response through a reprolducer'. f'A further object of the invention is to provide an audible mechanical information device with control means for the selection of the desired "message reproduction.

still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which is simple, dependable and capable of a wide variation in operation for advertising and information service. 7 Still a further object is to provide a multiple reproducer-capable of being readily varied from time to time for announcing selected information 5 and/or advertising responsive to the proper indexing cooperation between one of a multiple series of records and the reproducer. 'Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative em- 10 'bodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings: w v v I Figure l isa side view in elevation of a device embodying features of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing. 16 Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of thedevic'eshown in Figure l. Figure 3 is an enlargedfragmentary front view of a casing showing the indexing device and the informational data mountedto cooperate there- 20 with.

*Figure 4 isa fragmentary perspective view of the indexing element utilized to retain the informational medium and constituting a portionof the cabinet front. I I Figure 5 is a-perspective view of a letter bloc k which is held in position by confronting members of the type shown in Figure 4. V Figure G is a se'ctionalview taken substantially along line VI-'-VI of Figure 3. i Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line vii-v11 of Figure 8. 1 f

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the record and reproducing mechanism, parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing. 35 Figure 9 is an en view of theme chanism shown I in Figure 8. l v

Figure 10 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Figure 8 when viewed from the end opposite to that shown in Figure 9. vj Figure ll'isa fragmentary front view in eleva: tion of the mechanism shown inFigure 8. "Figure 12 is'aperspective view of the control handle shown in Figure 8 and which does fnot cooperatewiththe indexing device. l f

Figure 131s a sectional'view taken substantially along line XIIIXII I of Figure 11. v 4

I Figure 14 15 a sectional view taken substantially along line.XlV X l'V of Figure 11. g

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially 5 along line XV-XV of Figure 6. 1

Figure 16 is a sectionalview taken substantially along line XVIXVI of Figure 11.. .J Fig-ure l'lis an end view of a recorddisposed 5 on the mandrel or arbor for rotation in cooperation with the reproducer.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of the record taken substantially along line XVIII XVIII of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary partial sectional view in elevation of the record retaining and operating mandrelor arbor.

Figure 20 is a sectional viewtaken substantially along line XX-XX of Figure 8.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary sectional view takensubstantially along line XXL-XXI of Figure 10.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary front view in elevation of a. letter block showing the manner of assembling the informational data constituting the front face of the cabinet shown in Figure 2.

Figure 23 is a plan view of the letter block shown in Figure 22. 1

Figure 24 is a sectional view taken substantially along line XXIVXX[V of Figure 20.

- Figure 25 is a sectional view taken substantially along line XXVXXV of Figure 22.

, Figure 26 is aperspective view of the lever trip shown in Figures 24 and 27 that render the handle control inoperative while the reproducer is in peration. 1

Figure 27 is a sectional view taken substantially along line XXVII XXVII of Figure 24.

Figure 28 is a sectional viewtaken substantially along line,XXVIII,XXVIII of Figure 2.

Figure 29 is a sectional view taken substantially along line XXIX Q IX of Figure 2.

Figure 30 is a sectional view taken substantially alon line XXXXXX of Figure 28.

, Figure 31 is a perspective view of a reproducer bracket.

Figure 32 is a perspective view of a pick-up element of the, reproducer for confinement in the handle shown in Figure 31. i v

Figure 33 is a plan view of the reproduoer.

Figure 34 is a schematic wiring diagram showingthe electrical circuit for operating the various electrical elements such asa motor,.reproducer, amplifier, and loud speaker. I

The structure selected for illustration comprises abase 19 of any suitable configuration and construction that maybe cast or otherwise shaped to serve as an ornamental standard of any heighth. The base l0 has an upwardly extendi'ng structural frame ,work extension H which serves, to support a superposed frame I2 that is somewhat wider than the base extension frame work II, to define an outline for a substantially rectangular casing IS. The casing l3 terminates upwardly, in this instance, in a series of pyra' rnided frusto co'nical turrets l4, l and IE to define any desired ornamental and visual effect which may be variedwithin a wide range to meet the dictates of commercial practice.

As shown, the casing. I3, extends downwardly in a converging apron 11 that merges with the upper edge of the base If! to define an impressive easing for instrumentalities to be hereinafter described. The. casing l3 has its front and rear walls I8 and 19, respectively, provided with substantially rectangular openings that comprise thegreater part of the wall surface to accommodate an informational device capable of variation to correspond with-records confined within the casing l3. To'this end, each of the openings 20 in the front and rear walls 18 and 19 are provided with a plurality of transverse bars 2|--22,

inthis instance totalling. confronting sets of five which are equi-distantly spaced to define a corresponding number of separate informational areas 23 that are independent of each other and correspond with separate self-contained instrumentalities numbering in this instance a total of ten units on both sides as will appear more fully hereinafter. The number of units and records therein and the capacity of each unit casing -l3 may be varied within a wide range and depends largely upon the requirements as well as the size thereof.

It is to be noted that the transverse sets of bars 2 I22 are spaced to present transverse slots or openings 26 therebetween (Figure 6) to permit the vertical displacement within the limits thereof of a control handle that terminates externally in a grip member 26. The upper edge of the transverse plate members 22 are provided with downwardly extending horizontally spaced teeth 2'! that accommodate the handle control shank 25 therebetween so as to index such in vertical alignment with the spaces between vertically upstanding struts 28 that are anchored in confronting guide members 29. As shown, the confronting guide members 29 (Figure 6) aresubstantially U -shaped and are attached to the transverse plate members 2 l-22 so as to receive thestruts ZB th erein, the struts 28 having their upper extremities detachably connected between side plates 32 by means of threaded stud screws 32 (Figures 22 and 25) while the lower extremities 3i are soldered, welded or otherwise anchored in channels 33 to define a unitary frame studs 28 and indicia blocks 36' t'ovbe slidably removed in a horizontal direction.

As shown, the lower side plates 33 terminate in an extension 33 which has a perforated offset ear 34 (Figure 22) disposed in registry with a corresponding frame member 34' (Figure 30) to receive a fastener bolt 35 therebetween in order to retain the assembled section 23 in position against removal from the casing 13. As shown, the struts 28 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 36 formed on both lateral or side walls thereof so as to confront the corresponding grooves in the adjacent struts28 to retain indicia or letter blocks 36' therebetween. In order to remove the informational sections 23 and to enable the quick change therein, an entire panel section 23 can be laterally removed from the casing l3 and the top side plates 32 disengaged to' permit different indicia blocks 36' to be l'inse'rted.

The indicia or letter blocks 36' are slidably received between the confronting vertical grooves 36 provided in the struts 28 so as to define any vertical word or informational indicia for use by the public in indexing the handle member 26 of the control 25 to conform with any special series of letter blocks 36' that will be disposed in vertical alignment between theteeth 21 constituting an indexing member for each of the informational areas or sections 23. The indicia or letter blocks 36 may be composed of translucent Bakelite or other composition so as to emanate light therethrough from a source of illumination such as an electric bulb 31 mounted behind the casing l3 (Figure 6). This provides the adjustable informational areas or sections 23 so as to be readily changed to conform with changes made in the records that are disposed therein for audible informational projection in a manner to be hereinafter described.

, It is preferablethough not essentialthat the side walls 38 and 39 (Figure 28) of the casing J3 be rendered removable so that each self-contained operating unit for each informational section will be readily removable for repair, replacement, or record changing. For that matter, each front informational section 23 may be rendered removable for a similar purpose depending upon the dictates of commercial practice. To this end, each of the informational sections 23 are provided with separate and independent instrumentalities such as cross members 48 to bridge the frame I2, the cross members 48 being spaced to conformsubstantially with the transverse bars 2| of each section 23 so as to support confronting angle irons 4| and 42 disposed normally to the cross members 40 (Figures6 and 28) It is worthy of note that there are two parallel sets of confrontingangle irons 4| and 42 (Figure 28) that are spaced from each other by vertical beam members 43 disposed intermediate the casing |3 between the slots l8 and I9 thereof so that the front and rear openings 20 can accommodate separate and independently operating units, therebydoubling the capacity of each casing l3 which will be disposed upon its base It! in an exposed position so that all sides are accessible. Each section 23 is provided with a unit which, in each instance comprises a base 44 sized to be received between the confronting angle irons 4|42 (Figurefi), the base 44 being providedwith oppositely disposed notches 45 and 46 in the ends thereof (Figure 8) to accommodate mounting screw bolts 46 so as to fix the base 44 in position and render such readily removable should occasion require for replacement or repair purposes.-

In the present embodiment, the base 44- is provided with two end confronting brackets 41 and 48 to support the .instrumentalities as will presently appear. To this end, the brackets 4|-48 are provided with two horizontally aligned suitable supporting bearings 49 and 50. Thebearing 49 receives a stub shaft 5| therein that has a groove oilway 52 and is held fixed by a set screw 53 (Figure 8) to retain such, in position. The stub shaft 5| has an adjusting stud 54 that is threadedly connected with a bearing 49 to carry a disc 55 which is in registry with the transverse slots 56 provided near the extremity of the stub shaft 5| (Figure 19), thereby enabling the ad? justment of the stub shaft 5| and its retention in position by a set screw 53.

The stub shaft 5| terminates in a conical extremity 51 to cooperate with a correspondingly shaped recess 58 provided in the'end of the extremity of an arbor shaft 59 that extends through and is journalled inthe other bearing 50. The

shaft 59'has a pulley 68 secured to the extremity thereof that extends beyond the bearing'5ll, the

pulley 60 being connected thereto for rotation therewith by means of a key 6| (Figure 19). A comparatively larger pulley 62 having a reduced hub 63 is fixed tothe shaft 59 on the inward side of the bearing 58 for attachment, it being secured thereto for rotation therewith by means of a set screw 64. v

An arbor or record holder 65 .is fixed to the shaft 59, it comprising end hubs 66 and 61 that receive a cylindrical member68 ,therebetween for positioning onparallel reduced peripheries .69 and constitutingpart of the end hubs 66 and 61, respectively. Threaded studs H secure. the cylindrical member 68 tothe end hubs 66 and 61 and the latter-are sec'uredfori rotation withthe shaft 59 by virtue of set screw 12. .A record in-' dexing plate" is" extended edgewise in a radial direction to project beyond the periphery of the cylindrical member 68 so as to serve as a guide for a plurality of cylindrical records 14 'whichare disposed in axial alignment with a slot therein to cooperate with the indexing plate 13 so as to insure the correct positioning of each cylindrical record 14 as well as to insure the rotation thereof with the arbor 65.

.Each of thelrecords 14 have recording grooves "l6: (hill and dale) provided thereon and their end surfaces 11 and 18 are correspondingly tapered so as to insure the proper placement of each record." in the corresponding direction on the arbor 65 so that the recordings I6 thereon will be in the rightdirection. Any number of individual records 14 may be provided on the arbor 65, and in this instance as many as forty to fifty records are. axially aligned for adjacent contact in assembly and association on! the arbor 65 for retention by-imeans of an end collar member 19 which is internally threaded as at 88 to engage the correspondingly threaded shoulder of the end hub 66. This will serve to retain the records 14 in assembled axial association and enable their ready replacemer'it. Should commercial practice dictate, the individual records 14 may be substituted by'a single'unitary record having a multiple of individual recordings "l6 thereon of uniform length. This constitutes the full equivalent of the individual records 14, one arrangement being the fullequivalent of the other and should be so interpreted irrespective of actual descriptive limitations. I

It is to be noted that the end bearing 48 is carried by a hanger 8| that has a vertical bearing 82 at one extremity thereof to serve as an element of the furcated lugs'83 and 84 (Figure 9) which are vertically apertured to receive a fastener stud 85 therethrough for pivoting the bearing hanger 8| together with its bearing 49 in order to detachably associate the stub. shaft 5| with the arbor shaft 59' whenever it is desired to change records 14 or'otherwise render the arbor 65 accessible. The other extremityof the bearing hanger 8| .is provided with another stud 86 which cooperateswith a transverse slot 81 provided in the bracket 41' 'so-as to retain the bearing bracket 8| inoperative position when the stud 86 is fastened to the bracket 41.

- To render the arbor 65 readily accessible for the stud 86 from engagement with the bracket 41 to-enable free swinging of the bearing hanger 8|. An electrical reproducer arm 88 is attached to, a rod 89 carried between spaced arms 99 and 9| of the bracket 92. To this end, the reproducer arm 88 has a depending portion 93 which is disposed between" thearms90 and 9| of, the bracket 92 (Figures Band 24) so as to be fixed to the rod 89 by means of a stud. screw 94, therod 89 having a head 95 thereon and a coil spring 96 which nor.- mally urges the reproducer arm 88 with its depending portion 93 toward the left (viewed from record changing, :it is, only necessaryvto detach bracket arms 909I therebetween, the latter having corresponding bearingsl03 andl84, that are in axial alignment with the bearings I9'I--I 02 sozas to receive the stub shaft 97 therebetween. The carriage 98 in turn is guided for lateral movement by a shaft I05 extending. through the bottom bearing I08 provided therein so as to insure movement of the carriage 98 parallel to the arbor shaft 59.

To this end, the shafts 91 and I05 are disposed and supported between the brackets 4'Iand 48 of the base 44 so that the reproducer arm 88 together with the bracket 92 and its carriage 98 will have a range of movement within. the limits of the arbor 65 and the records 74 disposed thereon. A spring I01 has one of its extremities anchored to the top of the bracket 92 While its other extremity is anchored to a vertical bar I08 (Figure 6) so as to normally urge the reproducer arm 88 in a clockwise direction (viewed. from Figure 6) so that its depending'portion 93 will be urged against a stop rod I09 having its extremities carried by adjustably mounted plates IIO-III (Figure 24) fixed by screws IIO'-III to the side arms 99-I00 (Figure 7) of the carriage 98. The other surface of the depending portion 93 of the reproducer 88 is provided with a block IIZ having a sectional threaded bearing opening II3 therein to cooperate with a' correspondingly threaded feed rod II4 that' also bridges the end brackets ll-48 mounted on the base 44 (Figure 11) for journalled rotation relative thereto responsive to the actuating instrumentalities to be hereinafter described.

In order to displace the reproduceriarm 88 in a counterclockwise direction (viewed from Figure 6), a vertical actuator bar I08 is slidably mounted relative to studs II5- I IB that are anchored in the forward wall I ll of the carriage 98 so as to cooperate with slots 1 I8 and I I9 provided in the actuator bar I08, the slot-s II8--II9 being of sufficient length to permit the required displacement in order to actuate the reproducer arm 88 to its extreme limits of movement corresponding to its operative and inoperative positions.

As shown, the'upper extremity I of the actuator bar I08 is somewhat thinner than the main body thereof to receive a travel guide bracket I2I (Figures 6 and 15) that is fixed thereto by means of a stud fastener I22. The travel guide bracket IZI has a plate I23 fixed to the rearward wall thereof in spaced relation therewith, it being attached thereto by means of studs I24 (Figure 15) The plate I23 has a stepped edge I25 that cooperates with a downwardly ofiset edge I26 to define the travel of the reproducer .88 which has a lug I21 projecting therefrom for disposition in the path of the stepped edge I25--I28 of the travel uide plate I23.

As a result, when the reproducer lug I21 is disposed on the uppermost edge I25,.it is in operative playing relation with the record I4 for such a time as it approaches and descends to the lowermost edge I26 whereupon the reproducer 88 is removed from operative playing position owing to the urge of the spring IEI'I thereon. Accordingly, the upper travel edge I25 defines the extent of travel for the reproducer 88 while in playing position and thereupon it reaches its extreme limit and is removed from playing. operation with the record I4 owing to the descent of the lug I21 to the lower edge I26. When this occurs, the carriage 98 is capable of being returned to its initial inoperative position over the record 14 with which it previously was in engagement owing to the urge of the spring 96 that displaces the rod 89 carrying with it the reproducer arm 93 thatis secured thereto'by means of the stud screw 94 (Figure 24) It should be noted also that the segmental feeding nut I I3 is simultaneously disengaged from the rotating feeding screw II4 when the reproducer 88 is displaced in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 6) responsive to the urge of the spring I01, thereby enabling the reproducer 88 with its depending arm 93 to be returned to its initial position in disengaged relation with the feed screw I I4 that renders the spring 98 free to effect the return of the reproducer 88. It should also be noted that the carriage'actuator bar I08 is normally urged downwardly when no particular record 14 has been traversed-by the reproducer 88, this being rendered possible by a spring I28 which envelops a rod I29that is screwed thereto as at I30 into the bottom of the carriage 98 (Figure 6). a

To this end, the rod I29 projects through a lug I3I that is adjustably engaged therewith by means of a threaded stud I32 which projects through a slot I33 in the actuator bar I08. The stud I32 engages the lug I3I and projects into engagement with the stud I29 so as to establish a rigid joinder therebetween and cause the coil Spring I 28 to impart a downward urge to the actuator bar I08 when it is in its extreme elevated position and the release is effected of the locking mechanism that retains it in operative position during the playing contact of the reproducer 88 with the record M.

The release mechanism that holds the actuator bar I 08 in its elevated position during the playing operation, comprises a trip or lever detent I34 (Figure 27) which is pivotally mounted in a horizontal plane as at I35 to the carriage 98 so as to be in the path of a plunger rod I 36 having a head I31 impinging thereagainst through the influence and urge of a spring I38 that envelops the plunger rod I38 which is also mounted in the side wall of the carriage 98. As a result, when the actuator bar I08 is elevated to its extreme upper position, a slot I39 (Figure 27) is brought in alignment with the laterally projecting extremity I40 of the pivotal detent I34 so that the spring plunger I36 will cause the engagement of the detent extremity I40 with the slot I39 when it is displaced for registry therewith, thereby holding the actuator bar I08 inits extreme upper position which causes the travel guide. plate I23 to depress the reproducer 88 in engagement with the recording grooves on the record I4.

As soon as the reproducer 88 together with its depending arm 93 has traversed the entire recorded extent of the selected record -14, it will contact the detent I34 (Figures 24 and 27) and cause the latter to be displaced against the spring impelled detent I36 and thus dis-engage the detent extremity I49 from the actuator bar slot I39 to allow the spring I2'I which envelops the vertical detent I29 (Figure 6) to cause the actuator bar I08 to descend responsive thereto and return such to its initial inoperative position together with the handle control shank 25.

The handle shank 25 terminates in a block I4I (Figure 12). The block MI is provided with a forward rectangular extension I44 spaced therefrom by means of oppositely disposed grooves I45 and I48 that cooperate with vertical notches I41 spaced along a plate I48 that is fixed to the end bearing brackets 41 and 48 (Figure 11), the notches I4I being spaced to correspond with the notches 21 on the'upper plates 22 so as to cooperate therewith in accurately efiecting registry of the reproducer 88 with the starting point on the recording .grooves 16 of. any selected record 14. To this end, the plate I48 with its notches I41 merely serves as an extrazindexing feature to insure correct registry'between thestarting recording groove of the reproducer 88 which is essential or at least highly desirable. w

Should there be a blank record 14 on the arbor 65'for any reason, such as the lack of advertising or informational listings thereon, the plate I48 is provided with threaded apertures I49 which are in vertical alignment'with the notches I41 so as to receive a plug I50 therethrough, the plug I50- being attached by means of threaded studs I5I that engage any desired threaded apertures I49 so as to close the vertical notch I41 and preclude the actuator bar I08 to be elevated when the handle member 26 has been grasped'for displacement over a vacant record 14. Any number of such vacant record plugs I50 maybe attached to correspond with the number of records 14 that do not have any informational or advertising recordings thereon. I I

Now, .then, the handle block extension I44 protrudes directly in front of the furcated'ex-- tremity of the actuator bar I 08 that is attached to the forward portion of the grooves I45I46 by means of studs I5I (Figure 6) so as to be elevated responsive to aliftinghand grasp on the handle control member 26. The bar I08 is narrower than the grooves'I45I 46 so thata portion of the grooves I45-I46 on the front of the ac tuator bar I08 will register. with the indexing grooves I41 on the plate I48: Now, then, the re-" producer88 has a full floating cradle I52 which is pivoted as at I53 to one extremity thereof, while the other extremityof the cradle I53 has a carriage bolt I54 extending upwardly therethrough for freedom of movement in an aperture I55 provided on the reproduced body'88. A spring I56envelops the bolt I54 and is rendered adjustableby'means of a pair of selflocking nuts I51. An electrical pick-up consists. in this instance, of a rectangular body I 58 that is shaped for reception in the cradle I52, it being retained therein by means of suitable set screws or studs (not shown) that project through threaded apertures I59 provided in the three side walls of the cradle I52. The pick-up I58" consists of asuitablymounted diaphragm I60, to which a needle or stylus" I6I is'mQunted for vibratory movement in a vertical direction in the path of electrical coils 'and permanent magnets" so as to generate electrical: impulses responsive tothe' this instance, in thetop inclined portion: I4 which is above each of the openings 20 in the front and rear wall of thecasin-g I3, there being" suitably perforated grids I61 provided in' the upper section of the casing I3 to protect the structure and. conceal it from view. The amplifier I 65 is preferably supported by the base I on the uppermost point thereof (Figure 1) and such is responsive to the handle control 26 on either side of thetcas-e ing I 3, so: as to. operate. one: or.- theother 50f the I63 leadfrom the speakers" 'I 66 "depending upon which side i of the casing 'I 3 is being used; Forthat matter, the amplifier- I65 can be provided-with separate out-' put channels so :that both.' sides..I8I9. of the casing. I3 could be usedatthe same time byv different individuals depending'upon the information or advertising sought to be reproduced. L.'iAmplifier v:I 65 5 may have a single input t and separate outputs so as to. accommodatejtwo reproducers 88-:in i separate circuits and disposed on opposite sid'es'of the casing-:I3 or two separate amplifiers I65 may be utilized in separate circuits for that purposepthere only being one circuit schematically shown on. Figure 34 to accommodate one "side of ."the-"casing -'-I3- which" has five separate units of'whi'ch one will only be operated independent of the others. .1 x

In order to operatethe instrumentalitiesand effect rotation of the recordi'arbor 65and sir'nul-' taneouslyfiplace one of the pick-ups I58 in the circuit of the amplifier I65that has its independ'e: ent switch (not shown) the: handle control block I4I has'itsextension I44 provided with/a hOIi-L' zontally' disposed ridge. I68 .which' projects-into a. horizontal slot I60 provided in anangular plate I disposedbetween the end brackets 41"and 48 carried by therbase 44 of each unit" (Figures 6 and 11). The slotted plate I10 has extensions I.1I attached to the 'extremities'thereof. to project in' vertical slots I12 provi-ded 'in the end brackets and 48 (Figures .6, 'l0"and}16)'. 'This .servesitoguide the transverse-:angle plate I10 so as to. be displaced responsive to the handle control :25 in a path parallel to the actuator bar. I08to impart corresponding displacement-toga resilient switch actuating springs I13 "and I:1.4,jin thisiin'stance' two, that confront detents I and I16, (Figure 11) comprising-part-of the moving parts of-micro. switches, I11 and:-.I18.@f 2-; f

The micro switches. I1-1'= and-I18 are'mounted on brackets I19 and, I80which extend to the ,base 44 so as "to maintain-{such "inf predetermined spaced relation 'with- "the ;elongated=v transverse angle bar I 10. In -consequence-thereof, wheneverthe control handle 25 isdiSpIa'ced upwardly corresponding displacementmwilb' be Jimpa-rted to: the transverse. bar' I10 "to close switches: I11-and I18 and also the circuit from the reproducer pick-up" I58 to the amplifier I65 of the loud speaker I66 as well as. simultaneouslywclosepthe circuit zto' an electric motor l8I,respectively;---The"motor MI:

is' mounted on the'base44. of each unit and:its

armature shaft carries a pinion L82 (Figures 10, and l6) that meshes with a spurgear-I83 carried by; a stub shaft I84 vjournalled:in;.a bearing I85, (Figure2l). y.

The'bearing I85, is .carried by the end bracket 48 so as to rotatably support the spur .gear, I83 together with a small belt pulley I86 (Figure 21). The small belt pulley I86 is disposed inalignment with a comparatively larger arbor .driverpulley 63 (Figure 19) to receive .an endless belt'I81 therebetween so as to reduce the speed of rotation between the electric motor I 81 and the arbor, shaft 59. In order to maintain the endless belt l81in taut condition, an idler roller I88 is ,J'ournalled ona stud I89 carried by a lever I90. ,The

lever I90 is anchored at one extremity as at' IBI to the end bracket 48 while its other extremity is actuated by a spring I92 which tends tourge the idler roller I88against the endless belt I81 (Fig-. ure 16) As shown, the arbor shaft 59 hasa comparatively small pulley 6| on the extremity ,thereof beyond the bracket 48 (Figure 119) for alignment with the comparatively larger belt pulley I93 fixedto the extremity ofv the feed-screw I I4 so as to receive an endless belt'l94 therebetween which imparts a substantially slower and substantially decreased rate of rotation thereto to correspond with the best operating characteristics for audible speech reproduction. The endless belt I94 is maintained taut by means of an idler roller I95 mounted on a stud I96 carried by a lever I91 (Figure 10). The lever I9! is pivoted to the bracket 48 as at I98 so as to effect contact between the idler roller I95 and the endless belt I94 through a clockwise urge imparted thereto by a spring I99 (viewed from Figure 10) It will be apparent, therefore, that the energization of the motor I8I by the micro switch I18 will efiect the rotation of the records I4 simultaneously'with the operative contact of the stylus I6I in starting record groove 16 responsive to elevating the handle control 2I. Simultaneously therewith, the reproducer arm 88 is fed along the screw 4' and the circuit is completed through the amplifier I65 and the loud speaker I66 to audibly reproduce and emanate whatever correspondswith the recordings I6'on the selectedrecordI4. When the reproducer 88 with its'arm 93 has traversed a predetermined extent of travel corresponding with each recording I6, the reproducer stylus I6I is disengaged from contact and the actuator bar I08 simultaneously'descends to its initial inoperative position.

The reproducer 88 is then returned to its initial position over the played record I4 and the motor I08 is de-energized simultaneously with the breaking of the circuit between the reproducer 88 and the amplifier I65-loud speaker I66 connections. The amplifier I65 is preferably operatirig at all times and such can be de-energized at any time by a separate manual switch (not shown) that is'rendered accessibleon the exterior of the casing I3, It will alsobe apparent that the record I4 can be changed at will and readily substituted depending upon the requirements and the arrangements thereof. Then, too, the informational sections 23 can be changed by re-arranging and substituting indicia bloc-ks 36' to correspond with the recording I6 on any particular records 14 that maybe substituted at any time. v

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from any of the advantages of the invention or sacrificing any of the features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept, or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims,

We claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of pre-. arranged records, of a sound reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records, means for rotating said records, reciprocable hand control means displaceable normalto the axis of said records for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with any selected record, a carriage to movably support said sound reproducer along a path parallel to the axis of said pre-arranged rec-ords, said recip rocable handle means serving to displace said sound reproducer carriage along the total length of said records, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage dis- 'placement, and means for indexing said reciprocable handle control meansto cooperate with a selected record for the entire recorded extent thereof. I

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of pre-arranged records, of a sound reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records, means for rotating said records, reciprocable hand control means displaceable normal to the axis of said records for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with any selected record, a carriage to movably support said sound reproducer along a path parallel to the axis of said pre-arranged rec-ords, said 19601131 rocable handle means serving to displace said sound reproducer carriage along the total length of said records, means for indexing said. control means to cooperate with a selected record for the entire recorded extent thereof, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement, and means for returning said reproducer to its initial position on the selected record for further selective record cooperation. 1

3. In a device of the character described, the

combination with a plurality of pre-arranged records, of a sound reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records, means for rotating said records, each of said records having a plurality of selfcontained section recordings thereon in predetermined sequence, reoiprocable hand control means displaceable normal to the axis of said records for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with any selected sectional recording on each record, a carriage to movably support said sound reproducer along a path parallel to the axis of said pre-arranged records,said reciprocable handle means serving to displace said sound reproducer carriage along the total length of .said reoords, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record Within the total limit of carriage displacement,

and means including a series of adjacently disposed notches for indexing said control means therein to cooperate with a selected sectional recording on each record for the entire recorded extent thereof.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of pre-arranged records, of a sound reproducer mounted to cooperate with said. records, means for rotating said records, each of said records having a plurality of selfcontained section recordings thereon in predetermined sequence, reciprocable hand control means displaceable normal to the axis of said records for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with any selected sectional recording on each record, a carriage to movably support said sound reproducer along a path parallel to the axis of said pre-arranged records, said reciprocable handle means serving to displace said sound reproducer carriage along the total length of said records; means including adjacently disposed notches for indexing said control means therein to cooperate with a selected sectional recording on each record for the entire recorded extent thereof, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement, and means for returning said reproducer to its initial sectional record position for further selective record cooperation.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination'with a plurality of pre-arrangedrecords, of a sound reproducer'mounted to cooperate with said records, means for rotatinglsaid; records,

each of said records having a plurality of selfcontained section recordings thereon in prede-. termined sequence, reciprocable hand control.

means displaceable normal to the axis of said records for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with any selected sectional recording on'each record, a carriage to movably support said sound reproducer along'a path parallel to the axis of said pre-arranged records; said reciprocable handle means serving to displace said sound reproducer carriage along the total length of said records; means including adjacently disposed notches for indexing said control means to cooperate witha selected sectional recording on each record for the entire recorded extent thereof, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement, and spring means for returning said reproducer to its initial sectional record position responsive to withdrawing said reproducer from record playing position for further selective record cooperation.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of pre-arranged records, of a sound reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records, means for rotating said rec-ords, each of said records having a plurality of selfcontained section recordings thereon in predetermined sequence, means for normally holding said reproducer in spaced inoperative relation relative to said records, reciprocable hand control means displaceable normal to the axis of said records for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with any selected sectional recording on each record, a carriage to movably support said reproducer along a path parallel to the axis of said pre-arranged records, said reciprocal handle means serving to displace said sound reproducer along the total length of said records, means including adjacently disposed notches for indexing said control means to cooperate with a selected sectional recording on each record for the entire recorded extent thereof, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement, and spring means for returning said reproducer to its initial sectional record position responsive to withdrawing said reproducer from record playing position for further selective record cooperation.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a casing, of a plurality of prearranged records in said casing, a sound reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records, power means for rotating said records, each of said records having a plurality of self-contained section recordings thereon, said records being arranged in predetermined sequence, externally accessible control means projecting from said casing for placing said reproducer in operative cooperation with said records, means including notches in said casing for indexing said control means to cooperate with a selected recording on said records for the entire recorded extent thereof, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement, and means independent of said control means for elevating and returning said reproducer to its initial sectional record position after traversing the entire sectional recording.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a casing, of a plurality of axa soundreproducer pivotally mounted tocooperate with said records, power means'for rotating said records, each of saidrecords having a plurality of self-contained section recordings thereon, said records being'arranged in predetermined sequence, externally: accessible control means projecting from said casing for=placing'saidreproducer in operative cooperation with said records, means including notches in said casing for indexing said control means to cooperate with a selected recording on said-records for the entire recorded extent thereof, means forlimiting the feeding of said'so'und reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement, and means independent of said control means for elevating and returning said reproducer to its initial sectional record position after traversing the entire sectional record- 9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a rotatable arbor, of a plurality of cylindrical records disposed in axial alignment on said arbor, said records having uniform external cylindrical surfaces in smooth surface alignment, each of said records having interengaging ends to render said records complemental to each other, means on said arbor to retain said records in aligned relation for rotation therewith, a reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records within the limits of said arbor, means for linearly feeding said reproducer longitudinally of said records in timed relation to the recordings thereon responsive to the rotation of said arbor, and means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each record within the total limit of carriage displacement.

10. In a device oflthe character described, the combination with a rotatable arbor, of a plurality of cylindrical records disposed in axial alignment on said arbor, said records having uniform external cylindrical surfaces in smooth surface alignment, each of said records having interengaging ends to render said records compleially disposed: cylindrical records in' said casing,

mental to each other, means on'said arbor to retain said records in aligned relation for rotation therewith, a reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records within the limits of said arbor, means for linearly feeding said reproducer longitudinally of said records in timed relation to the recordings thereon responsive to the rotation of said arbor, means for limiting the feeding of retain said records in aligned relation for rotation therewith, a reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records within the limits of said arbor, means for linearly feeding said reproducer longitudinally of said records in timed relation to the recordings thereon responsive to the rotation of said arbor, control means for simultaneously initiating the operation of said arbor, feeding means, and reproducer, means for limiting the feeding of said sound reproducer for the recorded extent of each recordwithin the total limit of carriage displacement, and means for rendering said arbor, feeding means, and reproducer inactive when said reproducer has travelled the re corded extent of any selected record.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a rotatable arbor, of a plurality of cylindrical records disposed in axial alignment on said arbor, each of said records having interengaging ends to render said records complemental to each other, means on said arbor to re tain said records in aligned relation for rotation therewith, a reproducer mounted to cooperate with said records within the limits of said arbor, means for linearily feeding said reproducer longitudinally of said records in timed relation to the extent of any selected record, and means for returning said reproducer and control means to their initial position when said arbor, feeding means, and reproducer has been rendered inactive.

ANDREW R. JOHNSON. CHARLES E. WATSON. 

